Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

To tell you the truth.. I'm not even sure of my IQ. I got placed into honors classes starting in middle school & I know that def had an impact on my life.. even just solely based on the people I was friends with.

Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

I do not know my IQ or if I was ever tested. I was not put in any G & T programs at school but I was a grade ahead in math.

Do I think I am a bright person...yes....do I care that I was not in G &T classes....no cause where I went to school those kids were pushed so hard by their parents and did not end up with a balanced childhood....it was all about school for them. My mother was a teacher and would always make sure I was being challeneged but knew that a G & T program was not always the best route to get to the end result.

I think I did fine for my self in life. I went to college and law school and have a great job but I also had a hell of a lot of fun along the way!

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

Never had my IQ tested as a kid.

I was placed into classes based on my ability to learn and test scores.

I don't know how i feel about IQ testing at a young age. I kinda feel like it will be added pressure. I know the child will be challenged a bit more based on their ability, but maybe it would be too much?

I know when I went to JHS I was put into a gifted class for 6th grade. I struggled A LOT. Then for 7th, It was more of a regular class with added "gifted classes", did much better - a lot less pressure. Then in 8th bc I did so well in 7th, right back to Gifted - Struggled again. Whether I could do the work or not - the pressure of it was too much. A kid is a kid but once...

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

I was tested when I was really young and was labeled exceptionally gifted and put into a special program and the schools had even tried to convince my parents to send me away to a special school specifically for gifted kids.

Being tested had both its positives and negatives. It made my parents proud to know that their child was smart, however, it also put a lot of pressure on me. Anything less than perfect was a failure and I always had to do well. I put a lot of pressure on myself and so did my parents. I ended up getting burnt out even though I enjoyed learning and school, but sometimes we all lose sight of what it's really about. After a while my parents pulled back a little because they realized that a kid needs a balance in life and despite being smart, you are still a kid.

I sometimes feel like that is the problem with children who are labeled "exceptionally smart" or "gifted." They don't always have a balance and are almost forced to grow up quickly because they are smarter than the average kid. They are praised so much and told they are so smart so much that they feel inherently pressured and sometimes end up with a complex.

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

I think knowing your IQ score can make you an ass. It gives you something to brag about. Having a higher score (personally) hasn't made me a better person, hasn't gotten me a better job. If you work hard and try your best that's the quality that makes you a better person.

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

No idea what my IQ is. I was definitely never tested using a Wechsler test or Stanford-Binet. I did test for a gifted program in elementary school, and got in, but my parents decided that socially, it was better to leave in a mainstream program with my friends. That said, that was back when classes were tracked, and I was always in the "top" class, as well as the "Intelligent and Gifted Children" program in my home elementary school. I just didn't attend the special gifted program in a different school.

School always came easy to me, but I never knew my IQ, and will now never know, because I am a psychologist who is trained to administer all of those tests! I will say that because I was used to academics coming easily for me from a young age, as I grew up, I got easily stressed over major challenges, and would avoid anything that was too frustrating. I dropped classes in college that weren't required if I thought I would get less than an A-! Ridiculous in retrospect, but I really was always so focused on my grades, rather than on actual true learning and challenges.

As a psychologist, IQ scores can impact one's life, but they are not the be all and end all.

ETA: I could go on and on about my thoughts on IQ scores, but I have to work! I'll just say that I do not believe that they should be the only criteria necessary for being admitted or rejected from a program.

Message edited 10/2/2012 10:35:32 AM.

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

Oh yeah, I never gave my own answer.

When I was telling my mom about my friend's daughters, my mom decided now, at 36 years old, I could know that my IQ was around 130 and my 2nd grade teacher suggested I skip a grade or perhaps go to a private school with a more nurturing environment.

Well, I didn't skip and didn't go to private school and only took one honors class in high school. And my grades were decent but I will say I was always on the periphery of the really smart kids

I wonder what would have happened if my intellect had been embraced and challenged. I know my mother had her reasons for not pushing me, but I do wonder if my life would be different.

Awe, who am I kidding? I think I am just average and would assume anyone who has met me would think the same.

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

One thing about being gifted whether tested and identified or not that others have brought up is that it can't replace hard work and effort. Even in gifted programs I NEVER had to work hard for my grades. School was easy for me UNTIL High School. I went to a very competitive high school and had a long commute as well so it got hard then and I literally did not know how to study because I never had to before. it was rough.

Since I went to gifted schools from grade 4-> high School most of my friends are also gifted, and while I do know some people doing exceptional things, I know a lot of people who are not so successful, and many (including me) not living up to their potential. I think being a hard worker and having that drive is MORE important than being naturally gifted. I think less intelligent people will hit a lower ceiling in terms of potential but gifted people who don't work hard won't even approach theit capability, which is worse.

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

I see it all the time with my SAT students. There are kids who can get 700 with no work, but have to be pushed to do the work to get to 800 and many don't want to or don't want to learn from someone because they have a chip on their shoulders. I have other kids who as hard as they work will NEVER get to a 700. They coulf work for years and get from a 450 to a 650, but they can't get to where the gifted student is, so both have limitations

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

I was in gifted classes as child. Took special tests, etc. I did not know all of the outcomes. My parents put a lot of pressure on me to be the best and do my best. If I didn't - they let me know their dissapointment. It wasn't so fun. I started to rebel in Junior high and by high school, I was only in some of the honors/AP classes (like english and history/but not math or science). I felt a lot of pressure and had other interests, that my paretns didn't really encourage me to explore. My parents are "off the boat" Italians and felt education was the single most important thing to make me successful.

I always knew I was "smart", but wish I would have been able to become more well-rounded (participate in sports, dance or something!)

My brother had learning/speech delays, so they spent a lot of time getting him help.

By the time my sister came along, it was obvious she was gifted, but they knew more and also got her involved in lots of other activities. She's defnitley more well rounded than I am.

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

IQ is just a number. Common sense and reasoning are far more important IMO.

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?

Posted by Xelindrya

Hey I think you're 'swell' too LOL and your son is OBVIOUSLY gifted! from what ive read and the fact he can open a wine bottle I just love that photo!

Message edited 10/2/2012 1:27:08 PM.

Re: Do you think your IQ score can change your life?